The UST Growling Tigresses held off the UP Fighting Maroons, 75-66, to complete a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
UP gave the defending champions their toughest test of the season. Behind Kennan Ka’s 18 first-half points, the Fighting Maroons led 36-34 at the break, the first time UST had trailed at halftime this season.
About three minutes into the second half, Karylle Sierba’s layup put UST back in front. The Growling Tigresses then outscored UP 23-12 in the third quarter to take a 57-48 lead into the final period.
UP kept pushing, but Brigette Santos scored 7 straight points to make it 73-61 with 2:37 left. The Fighting Maroons answered with 5 straight points to cut the deficit to seven, 66-73, before Erinn McAlary’s layup put the game away.
UST head coach Haydee Ong said, “The six wins will not be meaningful if we didn’t show up today,” and praised her players for not giving up after trailing at halftime.
Sierba led the Growling Tigresses with 18 points. McAlary posted a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, Santos added 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, and Oma Onianwa chipped in 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
For UP, Ka finished with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Louna Ozar had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Camille Nolasco contributed 12 points and 3 assists.
Ateneo Closes First Round With Win Over UE
Earlier that day, the Ateneo Blue Eagles closed out their first-round campaign with a 73-56 win over the UE Lady Warriors.
UE built a seven-point lead in the second quarter, but Ateneo took control before the break and led 37-34 at halftime. The Blue Eagles pulled away in the second half, going up 55-46 after three quarters and stretching the lead to 20 with less than four minutes left.
“During halftime, I was discussing with the girls na ‘yung disiplina namin sa one-on-one defense,” said Ateneo head coach PJ Navarro, who added that his team made it much harder for UE to score in the second half.
Kacey Dela Rosa led the Blue Eagles with a double-double of 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 assists. Seng Calago added 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Hannah Lopez chipped in 12 points and 3 rebounds.
For UE, Kezza Buscar finished with 18 points, while Moana Vacalares contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
To start the second round, UST will next face UP again on Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 a.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Later that day at 12:00 p.m., Ateneo will face the NU Lady Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, UE will take on the La Salle Lady Archers on Wednesday, October 28, 8:00 a.m., at the same venue.
